I’d like to talk about two big ideas that come up in my work with clients going through change.
- Learning is essential
At a recent TedX taping in Boston, I listened to Zehra Abid-Wood describe the unexpected twists and turns sprinkled throughout her life and career leading up to becoming President at Lasell Village. One statement in particular stood out (and I’m paraphrasing):
“When you find yourself at that moment of leaving something behind, and you don’t yet know what’s next, go learn.”
That line really resonated with me.
In my coaching work, I’ve seen that when people are facing change, they often try to solve it with the same mental tools and perspectives they already have. It’s like rummaging around in a drawer you’ve opened a hundred times – you might shuffle things around, but you’re still looking at the same stuff. That’s often why we get that “going in circles” feeling.
The antidote? New inputs.
An online workshop.
A book you’ve been meaning to read.
A local interest group.
Even a rabbit hole of online research.
When we take in something new, we give our brains fresh puzzle pieces. And with new pieces, entirely different pictures can start to emerge.
- You don’t have to navigate change alone
Here’s the thing about murky, in-between phases: they can feel a lot less threatening when you talk them through with someone else. Having another brain (and heart) in the room opens up space for broader, more creative thinking.
Research even backs this up: when we talk through obstacles and options with a trusted listener, we’re more likely to remember the new ideas and the commitments we make to ourselves. That boost in clarity and recall makes it much more likely we’ll actually take action.
So whether it’s a mentor, a coach, a friend, or even a peer group, sharing your thoughts out loud can be the bridge between feeling stuck and moving forward.
Change can be daunting, but it can also be a powerful catalyst for growth – especially if you approach it with curiosity, fresh learning, and a little help from your people.
I’ll keep adding articles, links, and nuggets of inspiration here. In the meantime, maybe think about one small thing you could learn this week, and one person you could talk it over with.
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